The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.Blogger Tips and Tricks
This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Japan: Northern Territories dispute with Russia...[ 2091 ]

News Navigator: What's behind the Northern Territories dispute with Russia?

A sign on the eastern coast of Hokkaido declaring Japanese sovereignty over Kunashiri Island, visible in the distance. (Mainichi)
A sign on the eastern coast of Hokkaido declaring Japanese sovereignty over Kunashiri Island, visible in the distance. (Mainichi)
(Mainichi Japan) 
February 10, 2011
The Mainichi answers common questions readers may have about sovereignty over the Northern Territories, islands north of Hokkaido now under the control of Russia but claimed by Japan.
Question: Feb. 7 is Northern Territories Day in Japan, right? Why that day in particular?
Answer: Because Feb. 7 is the anniversary of the signing of an 1855 friendship treaty between Imperial Russia and the Tokugawa government. Under this treaty, the border between the two countries was set between the islands of Etorofu and Urup. The Northern Territories -- Etorofu, Kunashiri, Habomai, and Shikotan islands -- are now under Russian control, and the 1855 treaty forms the root of Japan's argument for reclaiming them.
They fell under Russian dominion in late August and early September 1945 when Soviet forces occupied the islands just after Japan's surrender in World War II. The Japanese government established Northern Territories Day in 1981, to stir up public support for the islands' return.
Q: What has Russia said in response to the Japanese claim?
A: The official stance of the Soviet Union was that there was no dispute over the Northern Territories. However, the new Russian government that emerged from the ruins of the Soviet Union in 1993 agreed to settle the question of sovereignty over the islands in the bilateral "Tokyo Declaration." That is, Russia agreed that there was in fact a sovereignty dispute.
A boat sails through the Nemuro Strait, with Kunashiri Island's Mt. Rausu in the background. The strip of white at the bottom of the island is an iceberg. (Mainichi)
A boat sails through the Nemuro Strait, with Kunashiri Island's Mt. Rausu in the background. The strip of white at the bottom of the island is an iceberg. (Mainichi)
Q: Okay. But hasn't the Japanese government insisted there is no territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture? China certainly seems to think there is.
A: That is very true. China and Taiwan both claim the Senkakus, hoping to gain control of the natural resources around the islands. However, Japan has denied there is any sovereignty question, saying the country does not have any territorial quarrels with its neighbors.
Q: So, how do we tell if there is or is not a sovereignty dispute over a certain area, officially speaking?
A: Well, if the territory in question is currently under Japanese control, then there's officially no dispute. That, as far as Japan is concerned, is where you draw the dividing line.
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For example, at the moment the Senkaku Islands are uninhabited, but they are privately owned and are therefore subject to Japanese asset taxes. Furthermore, the seas around the islands are patrolled by the Japan Coast Guard as Japanese territorial waters. In these ways, as well as under the law, Japan has actual control of the Senkakus. Therefore, Japan insists there is no question of sovereignty over those islands.
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On the other hand, the Northern Territories are under actual Russian control, in defiance of Japanese claims, and therefore there is a sovereignty question. The same holds for Takeshima Islands, called Dokdo Islands in Korean, which Japan considers a part of Shimane Prefecture but which are host to a permanent Korea Coast Guard presence, effectively putting it under South Korean control.
In short, the Japanese government demands recognition of sovereignty claims -- both from the other government involved and in the realm of international public opinion -- when the relevant territory is under the control of another state, such as Takeshima and the Northern Territories. If, however, the disputed territory is held by Japan, then the Japanese government does not admit of any questions of sovereignty.

Q: Will these conflicts ever be resolved?
A: There are examples of successful political resolutions to territorial disputes, such as a 2004 agreement between Russia and China that divided the land in question between the two countries and fixed a mutually acceptable border. Any territorial dispute could be a tricky one to settle, tangled up as it is with national sentiment and resource concerns. However, if a resolution is to be achieved, it will come through diplomatic perseverance. (Answers by Shinichiro Nishida, Political News Department)

Click here for the original Japanese story
(Mainichi Japan) February 10, 2011
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